Upcoming Deal @ Costco $899 Sceptre 30" 16:9 HDTV-Ready LCD TV 3/28/05 through 4/3/05

[Brackis]

Taken from uptopar @ FW


Looks like a good deal to me especially with Costco's liberal return policy. Specs seem good for price. Should be Online and B&M since its in a coupon handout. Will call to verify if B&M and post update later, they are already closed here on the east coast.

Costco Link

Manufacturer Product Link

User Reviews

Product/Deal Details:

Preview your Coupon Handout savings for the Sceptre 30" 16:9 HDTV-Ready LCD television in our upcoming promotion starting March 28, 2005 ending April 3, 2005.

Item # - 773778 Sceptre 30" 16:9 HDTV Ready LCD Television
Online price
$999.99

*Less coupon
-$100.00

YOUR COST
$899.99


* The manufacturer coupon(s) will be automatically deducted at checkout.** No coupon numbers are needed





The Sceptre® X30SV-Naga III LCD monitor features a built-in TV tuner and an infrared remote to keep you in control. Featuring 1280 x 768 resolution and a 600:1 contrast ratio and component video inputs, the Sceptre X30SV-Naga III offers everything you need for excellent TV viewing anywhere in your home.

Display:

Screen Size: 30" TFT LCD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Resolution: 1280 x 768
Brightness: 500cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: 600:1
Response Time: 16ms
Viewing Angle: 170° H/170H° V
Audio:

Built-in speakers: 16 Total watts
Surround sound
Signals:

Video System Compatibility: NTSC, PAL, SECAM
Built in television tuner
Inputs:

DVI input (TV and PC)
HD Component (Y, Pb, Pr): x 2
S-Video 4-pin DIN: x 1
Composite RCA A/V: x 1
RGB 15-pin D-Sub: x 1
Outputs:

Stereo earphone output
General:

Power Source: 100 - 240V, 2.4A 50 - 60Hz
Power Consumption: 180 watts
Wall mountable; Standard VESA
Dimensions:
34.9" W x 9.1" D x 21.6" H (w/stand)
Weight: 51.6 lbs.
Warranty: One-year limited
For product support contact Sceptre at:

www.sceptre.com
Email: monitor@sceptre.com
Phone: 800-788-2878



Shipping will be calculated at checkout based on your ship-to location.

Standard shipping is via UPS Ground. The estimated delivery time will be approximately 7 - 10 business days from the time of order.

Express shipping is via UPS Air. The estimated delivery time will be approximately 3 - 6 business days from the time of order.

Please choose your shipping method at checkout.

* State law may require sales tax to be charged on the pre-discounted price if the product is subject to sales tax.

Costco.com offers merchandise which complements our warehouse product selection. Therefore, most items available on our web site are unique to costco.com.

Costco.com products can be returned to any of our more than 400 Costco warehouses worldwide.

[Model X30SV-Naga III]

 

[breweyez]

after reading the reviews, i would look for another LCD

 

[kamranziadar]

Reviews are not good

 

[kreactor]

why is this not a good buy at $899?

83% thumbs up 17% thumbs down

 

[uurda]

Could one use this as a monitor? Put a pair together for an awesome dual-screen? Must admit I know little about the difference between an HDTV LCD and, say, a Sony LCD monitor.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Originally posted by: kamranziadar
Reviews are not good

Huh? Are we reading the same reviews? Many, if not most, were saying that the quality is very good. Most negatives seem to be about the remote and the location of the power cable while 2 people had their power supplies die on them.

For $900, it seems like a pretty darn good deal to me. And since this is Costco, you can always return the unit if you don't like it since Costco has a very customer friendly return policy.

 

[SirPsycho]

How is it that they call this a 16:9 ratio? 16:9 is equivalent to 1.777...:1, and 1280x768 is only 1.666...:1. Is this something that manufacturers fudge on a lot, or is it that nice even multiples of 256 pixels are what gets manufactured, but some of the pixels at the borders get unused?

 

[imported_Assassin]

Seems to be a pretty damn good deal to me. Can't get anything else comparable for near that price. Only negative I saw was that dead pixels aren't covered in warranty, but getting it from Costco you can easily take it back to them for a replacement should that problem arise. I do beleive this will be going in my bedroom as my new TV/PC Monitor.

 

[thunderroller]

not too good

 

[BlackPear1]

Nonsense. It's an excellent price for a decent LCD. Also, buying at Costco makes it essentially risk-free. Thanks OP.

 

[JafCo]

Originally posted by: SirPsycho
How is it that they call this a 16:9 ratio? 16:9 is equivalent to 1.777...:1, and 1280x768 is only 1.666...:1. Is this something that manufacturers fudge on a lot, or is it that nice even multiples of 256 pixels are what gets manufactured, but some of the pixels at the borders get unused?

I don't know about this particular manufacturer, but the pixels aren't always square, so the pixel ratio doesn't translate to the physical ratio. For example, you can buy HD-ready plasmas or LCD's that are 1024x768, yet they are physically 16:9.

 

[SirPsycho]

Originally posted by: JafCo

Originally posted by: SirPsycho
How is it that they call this a 16:9 ratio? 16:9 is equivalent to 1.777...:1, and 1280x768 is only 1.666...:1. Is this something that manufacturers fudge on a lot, or is it that nice even multiples of 256 pixels are what gets manufactured, but some of the pixels at the borders get unused?

I don't know about this particular manufacturer, but the pixels aren't always square, so the pixel ratio doesn't translate to the physical ratio. For example, you can buy HD-ready plasmas or LCD's that are 1024x768, yet they are physically 16:9.

Interesting. I guess I assumed that they would use the same manufacturing processes as for computer monitors, which generally have square pixels, don't they?

 

[PCPETE]

Who actually makes this? I've been trying to look, and I wanted to revive this thread. Panal info? Chipset? Our family's Sony tubed TV crapped out just after a few years.

We have a buddy whos Sony just died too, I really cant vouch much for that company's tubes. We have a mitsubishi that is over 18 years and still running!

 

[najames]

I got a 27" ILO LCD at Wallyworld and am very happy with it so far after about a week, ZERO dead pixels. I have called the tech support, which answered immediately, and they offered me a number for further information too. The LCD is made by Tatung evidently. Tatung is Taiwanese, but the panel seems to be made in Mexico. I may have read the panel is Samsung, but don't qote me on it. They were listed for $798 on Walmart's website I just found they jacked up the price to $884, darned. So much for the little smiley roll-back guy.

I asked the local place if they had any in stock and they said they did have them. I got one that had a little water damage on one end of the box on only the outside. The LCD was wrapped in plastic and all was dry, the box was factory sealed and they gave it to me for $650 as a close-out. It does have DVI, component, S video, and composite inputs. DVDs look great, cable is OK. I have not hooked up HD to it yet but should be outstanding. Support says they should have them back in a a few weeks at the stores. These 4:3, full, periscope (strectches only the outside evidently and looks good), and zoom modes.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3321535

http://ilosupport.com/index.htm

I will likely buy the online 3yr extended warranty if I can ever find out which price range is correct. Geesh.

 

[PagannagaP]

God that's tempting.

Good reviews I thought. The fact that you're buying from Costco covers having to return this beast for any dead pixels or other problems.

Newegg sells this as well. They have some good pictures and a few reviews. Price is over $1200.

 

[DestruyaUR]

This seems to be the same screen as the 799.99 Micro Center one (that special ends today and is only good at three stores), but the MC link references a 25ms response time, but the 600:1 CR is the same.

 

[carlwu]

To me, response time is the single biggest problem with LCDs. It most definitely is noticeable. On the slower models, it can be very irritating with a lot of motion on the screen (action movies, sports).

16ms may be considered average but I would shoot for better. The Olevia 27-30" LCD's for example have a 12ms response time. Their newer 32-35" models have 8ms (albeit, not exactly cheap).

 

[IGBT]

..I bought my 30 " Sceptre a few weeks ago so I'am in discussion with costco to see if they'll extend the sale price to me..still waiting to hear from them. But otherwise the 30" Sceptre is amazing..can hardly stop watching it. My first dvd viewed on it was IMAX Blue Planet..and it was stunning on the Sceptre..filmed in the IMAX format..the dvd version is digitally mastered from the orig.70mm film elements with a Dolby Surround sound track. So far I've watched it 3 times on the Sceptre..and have a 20 inch crt philips monitor near the Sceptre for ref.the Sceptre is at least as good as the crt and more often then not better. Bright with excellent color (ref:20"crt philips) and contrast. No visible movement artifacts and there was plenty of fast action on the IMAX video. Off angle viewing was nearly as good as the crt. I was looking off angle in unrealistic expectations and I could still see the Sceptre as well as the crt. No dead pixels.I'm viewing aprox.15' away from the Sceptre. I'm keeping this Sceptre even if costco doesn't extend the sale price. It's great. I may get a 2nd Sceptre when the sale price kicks in. Use it in the front room. The fit and finish is excellent. Sceptre is an established flat panel company..and I got Costco's return policy backing the whole thing up. No risk..no worry. I'am happy.

 

[PCPETE]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..I bought my 30 " Sceptre a few weeks ago so I'am in discussion with costco to see if they'll extend the sale price to me..still waiting to hear from them. But otherwise the 30" Sceptre is amazing..can hardly stop watching it. My first dvd viewed on it was IMAX Blue Planet..and it was stunning on the Sceptre..filmed in the IMAX format..the dvd version is digitally mastered from the orig.70mm film elements with a Dolby Surround sound track. So far I've watched it 3 times on the Sceptre..and have a 20 inch crt philips monitor near the Sceptre for ref.the Sceptre is at least as good as the crt and more often then not better. Bright with excellent color (ref:20"crt philips) and contrast. No visible movement artifacts and there was plenty of fast action on the IMAX video. Off angle viewing was nearly as good as the crt. I was looking off angle in unrealistic expectations and I could still see the Sceptre as well as the crt. No dead pixels.I'm viewing aprox.15' away from the Sceptre. I'm keeping this Sceptre even if costco doesn't extend the sale price. It's great. I may get a 2nd Sceptre when the sale price kicks in. Use it in the front room. The fit and finish is excellent. Sceptre is an established flat panel company..and I got Costco's return policy backing the whole thing up. No risk..no worry. I'am happy.

Yeah, i'm hearing nice stuff about this monitor. It dosn't have that 12ms responce that the Syntax Olevia has...but thats about it. The reponse time has been said to be 16ms, and I would just double check that before buying. Nice Resolution too.... 1280 x 768 is almost totally native to a 720p 1280 X 720 signal. There would just have to be some scaling on that verical singnal and it seems that this really dosn't distort the picture much. The only negitive I hear is that there is a crappy IR design on the TV remotes don't work that great with it to me.. Thats only a small negitive to me- as the tv of course has DVI, Svideo, and HDCPs if im not mistaken.

Just a question or too for the owners:
1.) the speakers- they removable
2.) How crapped out is the remote/ IR reciever of the unit.

Looks like a nice deal folks! Getting it to replace the POS sony that died

 

[IGBT]

..I haven't noticed any prob's with the remote..but I'am not using it much either..I use the Sceptre to watch dvd's thru the S-video connector. I did connect a pair of rabbit ears to the tuner just to see if it works..I don't have cable and hardly ever watch broadcast tv..and I was able to get all the locals on a pair of rabbit ears. The speakers don't come off..which was an issue when I started to research large flat panels..but now that I have it and see excellent fit and finish..it no longer bothers me. The sub woof.works well and if you choose to use the speakers..will balance the overall sonic ecperience. Like I said in a prev.post I just may end up getting another when it goes on sale.

 

[PCPETE]

Originally posted by: IGBT
..I haven't noticed any prob's with the remote..but I'am not using it much either..I use the Sceptre to watch dvd's thru the S-video connector. I did connect a pair of rabbit ears to the tuner just to see if it works..I don't have cable and hardly ever watch broadcast tv..and I was able to get all the locals on a pair of rabbit ears. The speakers don't come off..which was an issue when I started to research large flat panels..but now that I have it and see excellent fit and finish..it no longer bothers me. The sub woof.works well and if you choose to use the speakers..will balance the overall sonic ecperience. Like I said in a prev.post I just may end up getting another when it goes on sale.

Sounds promising! Been reading nice stuff about this, and if I may here are some AVS links. I hope im not breaking rules just trying to provide info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=435832&highlight=Naga
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre...14e200&threadid=417233&highlight=X30SV

Costco here I come! Wish they would let this sale go earlier im really anticipating this.

 

[IGBT]

..yeah I saw those at the AVS site..helped me make my decision..and when costco started selling Sceptre on line any risk of bad from stock or disatisfaction became a non issue.

 

[yoandy]

i bought this from newegg for $1200 earlier this month before i saw the deal on costco last week. man, i've been bummed all throughout the weekend because it's a $300 price difference, but the restocking fee + return shipping isn't worth the $70 for me.

anyways, it's a great tv. i've not plugged my computer into it yet (vga & dvi) but dvds and hd look awesome! however, it seems some non-hd programs, particularly on nbc, for me look worse.

the remote my biggest complaint as it is huge and unforgiving in that you need to point exactly at the infrared receiver on the tv for it to work. also, i've not come across a universal code for it yet - please PM me the code if u know it!

my 2nd biggest compaint is that the power cord plugs in under the tv making it visible from the front.

all-in-all, the tv is an excellent buy with 1280x768 res, dvi, built-in tuner, and great picture quality! therefore, my complaints, for the money, are easy to live with.

recently i've ordered a omnimount vesa compliant wall mount kit for really cheap ($101.39) at securemart.com

http://www.securemart.com/cgi-bin/future/OMT653165.html?pcode=1

i give this tv a 2 thumbs up.

 

[BlackPear1]

Would this help with 2nd biggest complaint? http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=61-2861

 

[JatMan]

Their website is horrible. http://www.sceptre.com/ Link to the Americas doesn't work.